ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam
1. When administering enoxaparin (Lovenox) to a client for DVT prophylaxis, what is the most important lab value to monitor?
- A. Platelet count
- B. PT/INR
- C. aPTT
- D. Hemoglobin
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Platelet count. When administering enoxaparin (Lovenox) for DVT prophylaxis, it is crucial to monitor the platelet count as enoxaparin can lead to thrombocytopenia, a decrease in platelet levels. Monitoring the platelet count helps in early detection of this potential adverse effect. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because PT/INR, aPTT, and hemoglobin levels are not the most important lab values to monitor specifically for enoxaparin administration and DVT prophylaxis.
2. The client is receiving digoxin and complains of nausea. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Check the client’s digoxin level.
- B. Continue the current dose of digoxin.
- C. Administer an antiemetic for nausea.
- D. Discontinue the digoxin immediately.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to check the client’s digoxin level (Choice A). Nausea can be a sign of digoxin toxicity, so assessing the digoxin level is crucial to determine if the medication dosage needs adjustment. Continuing the current dose of digoxin (Choice B) may worsen the symptoms if toxicity is present. Administering an antiemetic (Choice C) may provide temporary relief but does not address the underlying issue of digoxin toxicity. Discontinuing digoxin immediately (Choice D) without assessing the digoxin level can be harmful if the medication is within the therapeutic range.
3. What is a condition where the arteries supplying blood to the legs and feet become narrowed or blocked, causing pain and difficulty walking?
- A. Peripheral artery disease
- B. Atherosclerosis
- C. Varicose veins
- D. Raynaud's disease
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is characterized by the narrowing or blockage of arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet, resulting in pain and difficulty walking. Choice B, Atherosclerosis, is a condition involving the buildup of plaque in the arteries but is not specific to the legs and feet. Varicose veins (Choice C) refer to enlarged, twisted veins usually occurring in the legs. Raynaud's disease (Choice D) involves episodes of reduced blood flow to the extremities, typically triggered by cold temperatures or stress, but it is not directly related to the arteries in the legs and feet.
4. Which type of heart disease involves the stiffening of the heart muscle, reducing its ability to relax and fill with blood?
- A. Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- B. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- C. Dilated cardiomyopathy
- D. Ventricular hypertrophy
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, restrictive cardiomyopathy. This condition specifically involves the stiffening of the heart muscle, leading to a reduced ability to relax and fill with blood between beats. Choice B, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, is characterized by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, not stiffening. Choice C, dilated cardiomyopathy, involves the enlargement and weakening of the heart chambers, not stiffening. Choice D, ventricular hypertrophy, refers to the thickening of the walls of the heart's pumping chambers but does not specifically involve the stiffening that is characteristic of restrictive cardiomyopathy.
5. The nurse is caring for a client on amiodarone who complains of visual disturbances. What is the nurse’s best response?
- A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
- B. Reassure the client that this is a common side effect.
- C. Advise the client to monitor their symptoms at home.
- D. Suggest the client reduce physical activity.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to notify the healthcare provider immediately. Visual disturbances in a client taking amiodarone can indicate amiodarone toxicity, a serious side effect. Notifying the healthcare provider promptly is essential for further assessment and management. Reassuring the client that this is a common side effect (choice B) is incorrect as visual disturbances should not be dismissed without evaluation. Advising the client to monitor their symptoms at home (choice C) may delay necessary intervention. Suggesting the client reduce physical activity (choice D) is unrelated to addressing visual disturbances caused by amiodarone.
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